THE DRAMA Lives Up To Its Name

Bonnie DeShong 

In “The Drama,” Emma (Zendaya) and Charlie (Robert Pattinson) are set to marry on Saturday. As Charlie pens his wedding speech with help from his best friend Mike (Mamoudou Athie), the audience is taken on a journey through their memories, from their first meeting and kiss to their intimate moments and the deepening of their love.

During a food and wine tasting, the characters become drunk, leading to Mike’s wife Rachel (Alana Haim) challenging everyone to reveal their deepest secrets. In their drunken state, they comply, and the film shifts focus. Rather than maintaining interest in the characters, the audience becomes more engrossed in the reactions to their revelations and the judgments that follow.

Written and directed by Kristoffer Borgli, “The Drama” is a romantic comedy that, for me, struggled to captivate with its characters. However, Zendaya shines as Emma, a woman wishing her past had remained buried, using body language and intriguing expressions to bring interest to her role.

In her first major film role, Jordyn Curet, who plays young Emma, delivers a performance that outshines the adult counterpart, bringing more depth and interest to her character. Robert Pattinson’s portrayal of Charlie is initially amusing in his neurotic behavior, but it eventually grates on the nerves and wears thin as the film progresses. Alana Haim as Rachel is convincingly unlikable, taking her role to an extreme.

A film that sparks genuine conversation is valuable, and “The Drama” achieves this. It prompts reflection and discussion, which is a worthy accomplishment.

Overall, I give “The Drama” 3 out of 5 winks of the EYE. I would recommend waiting for it to become available on a streaming platform to watch.

Until next time, keep your EYE to the sky.